By Thomas Floyd

The striker's first goal since June 1 allowed Philadelphia to avoid an embarrassing loss to D.C. and move into the final playoff position.

WASHINGTON — Jack McInerney went more than four months without scoring a goal. But when he finally broke that slump, he sure picked a good time to do it.

The striker bagged a late equalizer for his 11th goal of the season and first since June 1 as the Philadelphia Union salvaged a 1-1 draw at lowly D.C. United on Saturday.

United, which got a gorgeous first-half strike from Nick DeLeon, extended its winless stretch in league play to 10 matches. The Union, meanwhile, passed the New England Revolution for the fifth and final playoff position with two games left.

After creating a slew of chances early, United took the lead in the 36th minute. Collecting the ball 40 yards from goal, DeLeon seized the space in front of him before launching a long-range blast past Zac MacMath.

United nearly doubled the advantage two minutes later when Conor Doyle rang the post. And Philadelphia had a golden opportunity just before halftime as Kleberson buzzed a free kick just over.

D.C. nearly iced the game late when Doyle rounded MacMath, but the goalkeeper recovered and made a lunging intervention. Moments later at the other end, Bill Hamid came up with a big save on McInerney.

But McInerney got the last laugh in the 90th minute, running onto Kleberson's cross and nodding it home at the far post for his first goal in 954 minutes played.